Spartanburg names street after designer of first Black Barbie

Spartanburg names street after designer of first Black Barbie

Kitty Black Perkins, a Spartanburg native who designed the first Black Barbie in 1980, is being celebrated for her trailblazing work with an honorary street in her name.

Spartanburg native Kitty Black Perkins honored with signs on Beacon Street

Spartanburg City Council recognized trailblazer Kitty Black Perkins, designer of the first Black Barbie, with honorary street signs on Beacon Street.

Spartanburg Street Honors Kitty Black Perkins, Barbie Designer

Spartanburg renamed Beacon Street for Kitty Black Perkins, the native who designed Mattel's first Black Barbie doll in 1980.

Spartanburg names street after Kitty Black Perkins, designer of the first Black Barbie

Perkins was born at 444 Beacon St. to Luther and Helen Goode Black and grew up with her six siblings in Spartanburg's Highland Neighborhood.